Coogs start conference with a very winnable game against Tulsa (RPI 217) and a tough match-up against Memphis (RPI 33). Coogs are ranked 97th in RPI, which is 7th out of the 10 AAC teams (ahead of UCONN, Tulsa, and Temple)
Tulsa heads into the Thursday night matchup with a 2-6-2 overall record and coming off a 3-2 double overtime victory over Missouri State. Rachel Thun-Blankenship and Addyson Guthrie lead Tulsa with two goals each. Courtney McKeon and Rebecca Defer have split time in goal for Tulsa, combining for 74 saves. Tulsa leads the all-time series with Houston 5-2-3.
Scouting the Tigers
Memphis heads into a pair of weekend matches against SMU and Houston with a 6-3-0 overall record. Elizabeth Woerner leads the Tigers with seven goals this season. Maria Levasseur is the assist leader for Memphis with five this season. Rachel Ashworth Shephard has played every minute in goal for Memphis, racking up 31 saves and four shutouts. Houston trails the all-time series with the Tigers 7-12-1.
- Rachel Estopare played every minute in goal for Houston, racking up four saves. - The junior now has 54 saves this season and improves to 5-3-1.
Help is on the way
- Soileau now has five assists this season, which is the highest total number of assists by any player last season. - Soileau takes over the top spot in the Houston record book for assists per game with 0.40. - This is the first time this season that a player has notched multiple assists in a match. - Houston has notched 15 assists this season and is three from tying the total number of assists earned last season.
Goals Galore
- Peters has now scored in three consecutive matches and moves into fifth-place on the all-time goals scored list with 15 for her career. - This is the second straight game that a single Houston player has notched a pair of goals. - Houston now has 20 goals this season and is one away from tying the total number of goals scored last season.
Other Notables
- Peters’ goal inside the sixth minute marks the quickest goal this season for the Cougars. - The win marks Houston’s first conference win since Oct. 6, 2016 when Houston defeated Temple. - UH now trails the all-time series with Tulsa 5-3-3
Rachel Estopare played every minute in goal for Houston, racking up three saves on 22 shots attempts.
Fabulous Freshmen
Mia Brascia notched her second goal of the season for Houston. Freshmen have accounted for four goals this season and 10 points this season.
Help Is On The Way
Madison Soileau continues to have her hand in a large portion of Cougar scoring plays. Soileau racked up her sixth assist of the season, which marks the most of any Cougar player in a single season since Sarah Fisher posted six assists during the 2004 season.
Efficiency is Key
Although the Cougars are being outshot by opponents 167-121, Houston is outscoring opponents 15-21. Houston has scored on at least one of its first three shots in each of its last two matches.
Other Notables
Houston falls to 5-4-1 on the season and 1-1 in AAC play. Cougars are now 7-13-1 against Memphis. Houston is 0-1-1 in overtime matches under Head Coach Diego Bocanegra.
